Still filling and deaerating machine



Nov. 18, 1941. A. M. ARMSTRONG ET AL 2,263,551

STILL FILLING AND DEAERATING MACHINE I Filed March 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N o a T 0 k \Lg N INVENT RS k kg mar/2.623%

\ 0% BY "5' I I ORNEY Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STILL FILLENGAND DEAERATING MACHINE AlbertM. Armstrong, Los Angeles, and Otto M. Clinton, Glendale, Oalifi; said Clinton assignor to said Armstrong Assamese Mater. 26, 1940, seen No. 326,628

10 Claims.

The primary object of our invention is the production of a new, novel and useful still filling and de-aerating machine semi-automatic in action, and of structural characteristics embodying features uncommon to the art, and embracing a machine which may readily beconstructcd of varying capacity for the simultaneous filling of amultiple number of containers, regardless of shape, size and capacity.

A further object of the herein invention is the provision of a machine of said type presenting a multiple number of improvements in its operating mechanism, and whereby a simple direct controlled feed means is provided, the feed mechanism involving an ingeniously devised distribution system, automatic in action for the filling of a multiple number of bottles on manua1 manipulation of the operating mechanism. I v j A further object of the herein invention, resides in the provision of a machine of this character in which all of the operative partsare arranged compactly in a main supporting frame, with simple and improved driving or operating means, and which supporting frame may be constructed in sectional units for operating engagement to one another.

A further object of the herein inventionresides in the provision of a machine possessing advanced ideas and advantages for maintaining the same at all times and under all conditions, in a thoroughly hygienic state. M v v, H I,

A further highlyimportantobject of the here: in invention is the provision of amachine in which the de-aerating process is accomplished momentarily prior to the fillingv process, air withz, in the bottle to be filled being simultaneouslyre moved under vacuum, and the liquid in the filling 1 process diffused as a fine spray which trickles down the sides of the bottle to further enhance de-aeration. I v p I A further object of the herein invention is the provision of a machine wherein the feed heads, at all times emit no drip, and whereby the eX- terior surface of the bottles before, during and after the filling operation remain dry and clean, unsmeared by drip or over splash, more or less common with filling machines in use.

A further object of the herein invention com-- prises a means for automatically under manual control, aligning the bottles to be filled with the filling heads, and for placement of said heads in juxtaposition for the filling operation.

And a further object of the herein invention is to provide a machine of said characteristics through the instrumentality of which three or more bottles may be simultaneouslyfilled, and also permitting engagement of a number of ma:- chines to be operatably connected and controlled from a single source.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear as this specificationproceeds and as is set forth in the appended claims.

We attain these objects by the'jmachinadisclosed in the accompanying, drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of our invention, Figure 2 is a section on line,2,2 of Figure, 1; Figure 3 is a section on line 3-'-3 of, Figure 1, Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4,of Figure 1,- Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 1 with certain parts broken away, A

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 1 on a larger scale,

Figure 7 is a section on line 'll of Figure .1, Figure 8 is a viewsimilar to Figure '7 but with certain parts in a different position, Figure 9 is a viewv similar .to Figures '7 and 8 but with certain parts in a still different position; and Figure 10 is a section on line Ill-ell] of Figure 1.

Similar letters and numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views. The machine assembly thus comprises a framed table structure T having legs II, and a lower shelf i2. Additionally standards .l3 .extend above the legs and are joined .by bars [4 in engagement therewith tieing their upper ends in a fixed position so as to form a pair of frames l5 and 6 at opposite ends of the standards.

Each of the bars I4 has a' lug ll formed on the side to provide support for a vertical screw.,l8 which has a sprocket l9 secured thereto. The sprockets are connected; by a chain which serves to turn the opposite screw whenever either screw I8 is rotated, a squared end 2] in each screw providing a means for engagement of a wrench for rotation of the same. The screws 18 are threaded through lugs 22-22 formed upon bearing blocks 23 which are thereby vertically ad-- v justable upon the standards of the frames l 5 and i8.

Said bearing blocks 23 carry a shaft 24 having crank arms 25 secured at opposite ends thereof. The arms 25 are connected by links 26 to movable blocks 21 which have machined bifurcations at opposite ends so that said blocks are'vertically slidable between the front and rear standards l3 of the frames l5 and I6.

Valved filler heads 28 are suspended between the frames l5 and H5 by bars 29 and 30 which are secured at opposite ends upon the blocks 21 by bolts 3| and tie blocks 32, as shown in Figure 6, bars 29 and 30 are spaced slightly apart so that a reduced top end 33 of the filler heads may be secured between said bars by a bolt 34, This bolt may be loosened and the filler heads moved along between the bars 29 and 30 whenever it is desired to change the distance between said heads for the accommodation of bottles of varying widths.

Each of the blocks 21 has an extension 35 of one of the rear bifurcations to support a pair of manifolds 36 and 31 as shown in Figures 5 and 10.

Each of the heads 28 is connected by a flexible conduit 38 to the manifold 36 and by a flexible conduit 39 to the manifold 31 as is shown best in Figure 10.

The manifold 36 is plugged at one end but has the other end connected by a flexible conduit 40 and pipe fittings M to a tank 42 secured upon the shelf I2. Said tank may be of glass so as to readily disclose the contents thereof.

Pipe fittings 43 connect said tank 42 and a three-wayvalve 44, which has one opening 45 unconnected or open to the atmosphere, and its third opening 46 connected to a pipe 41 in turn engaging a T 48 in engagement with a nipple 49 which is coupled to a vacuum pump 50.

The vacuum pump is further connected to an air exhaust chamber 5I. A tube 52 by means of a reducing coupling 53 is connected at one end with said T 48, and at its other end is connected to a cylinder 54, as shown in Figure 5. Said cylinder is pivotably mounted at one end upon the frame T by means of a pin 55. Within said cylinder, a piston 56 is operatably positioned, the piston rod 51 being suitably connected at one end by pin means 58 to one end of a crank arm 59. Said arm is adjustable as to length by means of bolts 60 in engagement with slots 6I therein disposed, and at its other end, it is attached to the shaft 24.

A crank arm 62 is attached at one of its ends to said shaft 24, and at its other end by means of a bolt 63 to a weight 64. The manifold 31 is plugged at one end. Its other end is connected to a flexible conduit 65 which extends into a barrel 66 or like container forming the source of supply of liquid to be transferred to bottles or the like. A conduit 61 has one end in the barrel and the other suitably connected to one side of a pump 68. The other side of the pump is connected by a conduit 69 to a check valve 10 which is in turn by means of a nipple II, T 12, and nipple I3 connected to the bottom of the tank 42.

The pumps 50 and 68 are respectively mounted upon the shelf I2 and are driven by belt means I5 and I6 respectively and a motor 'I'I which is also mounted on the shelf I2.

A channel bar 18 is secured to and supported upon the frame T and serves to support and guide an endless conveyor I9 fed around pulleys or sprockets and 8| supported by bearing blocks 82 and 83 respectively which are suitably attached to opposite ends of the bar I8.

An elongated plate 84 is suspended beneath the bars I8 by hangers 85 and serves to support the lower run of the conveyor I9.

A shaft 86 is suspended beneath the plate 84 by hangers 81 and has crank arms 89 and 90 attached adjacent its opposite ends. A linkage 86' transmits the motion of the shaft 86 to the valve 44.

A rod 91 is provided parallel to and of approximately identical length with the shaft 86.

It is, however, located above the bar 18. Its respective ends are secured in slidable blocks 92 which are located in slots 93 provided in supports 94 mounted on the frame as shown in Figure 5.

The arms 89 and 90 have slots 95 at their upper ends through which bolts 96 connect said arms to the blocks 92.

A handle 91 of a lever 98 is slidably carried by a lug 99 provided upon the side of the arm 90 and is normally urged upwardly by means of a spring I00.

The lower end of the lever 98 is slotted at IM to permit a downward sliding movement of the lever. The shaft 86 extends through said slot IOI. The lever 98 carries a lug I02 at its lower end which at certain times hereinafter explained engages a pin I03 fixed in a bracket I04 secured to frame T.

A leaf spring I05 has one end attached to the arm 90 and the other end free to engage and press a switch button I06 protruding from a switch box I01 which may be secured at one end of one of the supports 94 adjacent the arm 90.

The switch box may contain any kind of contact switch, but a bracket I08 is shown secured to an insulation block I09 which is secured in the switch box. The bracket supports one end of a screw IIO having the other end threaded into the switch button I06 which is of insulating material and is normally urged outwardly by a spring-II I.

Another bracket H2 is provided having a hole II2 which is large enough for the screw IIO to pass through without contacting the bracket.

One wire lead of an electric cable I I3 is soldered to the bracket I08 and another to the bracket I I2 so that when the switch button is released the head of the screw contacts the bracket I I2 completing the circuit for energizing a motor M.

The sprocket 8| is driven through a belt II4 from a reduction box II5 containing gears (not shown) which may be driven by means of a belt II6 from the motor'M.

A plurality of blades II! are attached to the rod 9| and as shown in Figure 2, these are gradually reduced in length from the first blade at the right Guide rails I20 are provided and may be supported by the angle irons 85 adjustably attached to hangers 85 'so that bottles of various width may be fed between said guide rails.

Referring to Figure 6, it will be seen that the valvular filler heads embody a cylinder I2I open at the bottom to receive a plunger I22 limited in its movement by a screw I23 threaded into the plunger through a slot I24 in the side of the cylinder. The plunger is normally urged outwardly from the cylinder by a spring I26 which takes up the shock when the heads are dropped so as to contact the bottles, which shock, however, is extremely light since the drop is not extensive. A slot I2! is provided in one side of the cylinder permitting nipples I28 and I29 to be threaded into the side of the plunger I22. The nipple I28 is threaded into a chamber I30 in the upper end of the plunger.

A hollow stem I3I is threaded upwardly in the plunger so as to connect at the upper end with the chamber I30. The lower end of the stem I3I is threaded to suspend a connection I32 having a shorter stem I33 threaded upwardly into it. Said stem I33 is made removable to permit stems of various lengths to be substituted forreasons hereinafter explained.

A nipple I34 is threaded into the bottom of the pliihger to connect witna'chambr' I35- in the plunger.- Said chamber I35 is in; communication with the nipple I29.- The stem I3I' extends dawn tliro ligh the nipple [34 but the outside diameter of the stemis'not as great as the inside diameter of the" nipple, thereby providing an annular passage-Way I36 between them.

Parts I31 are provided adjacent the lower end of the nipple I34 which abuts a shoulder I38 of the connection I32. A- sleeve I39 is provided closely surrounding the nipple I34 and is adapted to fipiocat freely from end to end of the moms tooperland close the ports I31. The diameter of the" sleeve at the upper end is identical with that of the plunger, but is spaced from the plunger by a sealing washer I40 provided about the nipple I34. The lower end of the sleeve is are reduced outside diameter to permit entry into asmall mouthed bottle, as shown by way of example, in Figure 6 as the neck of a bottle B.

A gasket I4 I of soft rubber or similar material surroundsthe reduceddiameter of the sleeve. It is? prevented from falling off because of a snug fit.

In operation-,- the machine is first set to cori'ectl'y' and securely hold the bottles during the fillingpro'cess'. To accomplish this, a few bottles are placed on the conveyor directly under the filler heads; after which the bottle adjustment guides and filler head supporting structure as aforementioned are regulated to the size, shape and height of thebottle in manner already explained.

The filling ope'r'ation proper is accomplished in the following manner.

we shall assume that the bottles B shown in the drawings are being filled while the conveyor 1-9 is stationary. During said filling process, an additional supply of empty bottles (not shown) are placed on the conveyor to the right of the bottles which are in filling position. When the bottles under the heads are full, the operator pulls back on the handle 91 until the lug I02 of the lever 98 engages the pin I03, as shown by dashed lines inFi g'ure 5. As the lever 98 is carried by lug 99" on the crank arm 90, the latter will move with the lvei and turn' the shaft 86' which moves the valve 44 by means of the linkage 86' to the position shown in Figure 8.

The suction-f the vacuum pump is now applied bym'eansof the tube 52to the cylinder 54 drawing the piston" 56 down so that the rod 51 and the arm 59 will turn the shaft 24 in a clockwise direction asseen in Figure 5.

The arms- 25 are thereby moved to lift the blocks 21 carrying the heads 28 by means of the bars2 9 and30 The vacuum pump is assisted in this movement by the weight 64' which partiallycounterbalances theparts connected to the piston; As-the heads are lifted the sleeve I39 drops downby gravity to close the ports I31 and thereby preventsdripping of liquid from the head. The handleis still in position so that the spring I-stil1"presses on the switch button, thereby preventing a completed electrical circuit in the Switch box.

when the'heads are lifted free from the bottles the-operatorpresses the handle 91 downwardly overcoming the resistance of the spring I00 until the lug I02 is low enough to pass beneath the pin I03 permitting the handle to be drawn all the Wayback until the blocks 92' reach the outer end of the slots 93. At this time the spring I05 no longer engages the switch button so that a completed' circuit is formed the switch box-toen'-'- er'gize the motor M to move the conveyor, carry"- ing the full bottles to the left (see Figure U out of the filling section of the machine, and simultaneously therewith, moving the assembled 1111- fille'd bottles from the right-side of the machine as aforementioned, into place within the filling section for proper alignment and filling in repe tition of the filling operation. During the fo'regoing movement of the bottles the' valve is moved to the position shown in Figure 9, so that the suction of the vacuum pump is still applied to the piston- 56, holding the heads up while the conveyor is moving.

When the empty bottles reach a point appro ii ma-tely beneath the heads, the operator pushes the handle 91 back to the full line position shewn in Figure 5 which moves the valve 44 back tothe position shown in Figure 7, thus breaking the vacuum in the tube 52 which causes the headsto drop down by their own weight to the position as is fully disclosed in the drawings, and opening the ports I31. I y

Simultaneously with the movement of the handle 91 backwardly', the arms 89 and 90 move the rod 9I toward the bottles and cause the blades II1 to align the bottles in their correct position under the filling heads, said blades easing the bottles over one atatime due to the graduated length of the blades, the entiresedu'e'n'c'e of aligii= ing the bank of bottles being accomplished in a second.

With the valve 44 now'inthe positiondisclosed in Figure 'l, suction is applied by the vacuum pump to the pipe 41, valve 44; fittings 4 3', tank 42', fittings 4I, conduit 40, marinas- 36, conduits- 38, nipples I 28, chambers I30, stems; I 3|, stems I33, bottlesflB', nipples F34, chambers I35, nispies' I29, conduits 39', manifold 31' and conduit 65} thus drawing the liquid up from the source 0'!" s'upplybarrel fifi into the bottles."

If the operatbf doesnot attend to the appaiatus when the bottles are full,- the' liquid is drawn up into the stems I33 and I3! and back through the conduit 40 into the tank' 42,- and thereby providing a safety factor. The pump 68 will at the same time draw off the liquid, if an in said tank 42 contained, and convey it by means of the conduit 61 back into the barrel 66.

When the operator notices that the bottlesare full, the handle 91 is' again pulled back to the broken line position of Figure 5, and the operation is continued as abovedescribed.

As described-the valve 44 is moved into the position of Figure 8, breaking the vacuum in the bottles so that liquid is no longer drawn up and the sleeves I39 drop down over the ports I31 as the heads are drawn up, preventing dripping.

The stem I33 is made removable so that a shorter or longer stem asrequired may be sub stituted to limit the height of the liquid drawn into the bottles.

As the liquid is drawn irito a bottle from the ports I31, the liquid rises until it reaches the'bot' tom of the stem. .At this point no-more liquid Will stay in the bottle, for it will be drawn up into" the stem instead and as aforementioned into the tank 42.

The entire filling and removing operation of a plurality of bottles in each operation, takes but a short space of time. Rapidity in operation is thus an important feature of our machine.

It is practicaly fool proof, has no Working parts which may readily get out' of order, or disclose excessive Wear, and in itsc'omponent structure, it

presents a well built and compactly assembled entirety. r a I Readily produced from materials obtainable in the open market and at no great cost, our invention in its design and simplicity of operation and satisfactory service rendered,'marks for a decided advance in the bottle filling machine art.

It should be undestood that while we have herein forthe sake of simplicity confined ourselves to the term bottle, that any other suitable type of container may as readily be employed, and to this end we do not confine or limit our invention exclusively to a bottle filling machine. I

We are further aware that slight modifications may from time to time be made in the details of structure shown without departing, however, from the scope of the present disclosure, and as defined in the claims which are appended hereto. Hence, we do not limit our present invention to the exact description of construction shown, but what we do claim is:

1. In a machine for filling containers, a frame, a plurality of filling heads mounted on the frame for movement into and out of filling position, a conveyor on the frame for moving containers into and out of position to be filled, a source of supply of liquid, a liquid supply line for connecting said heads with said source of supply, a vacuum pump, a vacuum line for connecting said pump with said heads; each of said heads including tubular members adapted to be extended into a container to be filled and being provided with means operable for evacuating the container and introducing liquid into the container during operation of said pump, means responsive to said vacuum pump for lifting said heads out of filling position and also operable to permit the heads to gravitate into filling position, andvalve means for controlling said vacuum line to said heads, a manually operable means for said valve means, a motor for operating the conveyor, and a circuit closer for controlling said motor responsive to manipulation of said manually operable means.

2. In a machine for filling containers, a frame, a plurality of filling heads mounted on the frame for movement into and out of filling position, a conveyor on the frame for moving containers into and out of position to be filled, a source of supply of liquid, a liquid supply line for connecting said heads with said source of supply, a vacuum pump, a vacuum line for connecting said pump with said heads; each of said heads including tubular members adapted to be extended into a container to be filled and being provided with means operable for evacuating the container and introducing liquid into the container during operation of said pump, a series of aligning blades movable on the frame into and out of position between and for aligning the containers with said heads, and a valve means for controlling said vacuum line including a valve operating handle, and means responsiveto movement of said handle for moving said blades into and out of position for aligning the containers with said heads.

3. In a machine for filling containers, a filling head including a body, a pair of concentric tubular members each fixed at its upper end within and depending from said body and adapted to be extended into a container to be filled, means embodied in said body between the ends thereof providing for connection of said members with a vacuum pump and a source of supply of liquid,

respectively, one of said members extending below the other and open at its lower end for evacuating the container, the other member having a port for discharging liquid from said source into the container, a sleeve device mounted on the last named member below the plane of the lower end of the body and so a to be moved out of position closing said port upon contact with said container when inserting said tubular members into the container, and adapted to gravitate into port closing position when the tubular mem bers are withdrawn from said bottle, said sleeve device including a compressible gasket adapted to yieldingly contact and close the mouth of the container, a cylinder in which said body is movable and spring means Within the cylinder resisting movement of said body upon contact of said gasket with the container. I

4. In a machine for filling containers a frame, means thereon for supporting containers in position to be filled, a filling head support vertically adjustably mounted on said frame, a plurality of filling heads on said support, lever means for raising and lowering said support including fulcrums vertically adjustable on and relative to the frame, adjusting means for moving said fulcrums relative to said frame to set said heads at different levels on said frame to accommodate the machine to containers of different sizes, and means operating first to move said lever to raise the heads out of bottle filling position and thereafter to release the heads for gravitation into filling position, including a fluid operated cylinder pivoted on said frame, and a plunger operable in the cylinder and pivoted to said lever means.

5. In a machine for filling containers a frame, means thereon forsupporting containers in position to be filled, a filling head support vertically adjustably mounted on said frame, a plurality of filling heads on said support, lever means for raising and lowering said support including fulcrums vertically adjustable on the frame-adjusting means for setting said fulcrums on said support and said heads on different levels on said frame to accommodate the machine to containers of different sizes, means for rocking said lever to raise the heads out of bottle filling position and then release said lever means wherebythe support and heads may gravitate into filling position, vacuum means associated with said heads for efiecting a container evacuating and bottle filling action of said heads including a vacuum pump; said means for rocking said lever means including a vacuum cylinder connected with said pump, a piston in said cylinder connected with said lever means, and valve means for controlling the operation of said heads and said piston.

6. Ina machine for filling containers a frame, means thereon for supporting containers in filling position, a plurality of filling heads movable into and out of filling position on said frame, a source of supply of liquid, a liquid supply line connecting each head with said supply, a tube on each head, connected with said supply line and adapted to extend into a container and having a liquid outlet port, a tank, a vacuum pump connected with said tank, a vacuum line for connecting said heads with said tank, an evacuating tube in each head extending thru said liquid supply tubeand adapted to extend a greater distance into the container than said liquid supply tube and being connected with said vacuum line at its upper end and open at its lower end, a pipe line for returning liquid from the tank to the source of supply and a pump for pumping liquid thru said return line to said source of supply, a vacuum operated device responsive to the vacuum pump for lifting said heads out of filling position and for releasing said heads for gravitational movement into filling position and a valve for controlling said vacuum pump, selectively operable for communicating the evacuation line with said heads, operating means for said valve, and means for moving said container supporting means to bring containers into and out of filling position responsive to predetermined operation of said valve operating means.

'7. In a machine for filling containers, a frame, a bottle filling head mounted on the frame for movement into and out of bottle filling position, a source of supply of liquid, a liquid supply line from said source to said head, a vacuum pump associated with said head for drawing liquid therethrough, a conveyor for moving containers into and out of filling position with respect to said head, a vacuum responsive lifting means for raising said head out of filling position upon operation of said pump and for releasing said head for gravitational movement into filling position, a valve for controlling said pump for selectively and simultaneously actuating said head and said raising means, operating means for said valve, and means for operating said conveyor responsive to movement of said valve operating means.

8. In a machine for filling containers, a frame, a bottle filling head mounted on the frame for movement into and out of bottle filling position, a source of supply of liquid, a liquid supply line from said source to said head, a vacuum pump associated with said head for drawing liquid therethrough, a conveyor for moving containers into and out of filling position with respect to said head, a vacuum responsive lifting means for raising said head out of filling position upon operation of said pump and for releasing said head for gravitational movement into filling position, a valve for controlling said pump for selectively and simultaneously actuating said head and said raising means, operating means for said valve, and means for operating said conveyor responsive to movement of said valve operating means, said valve operating to maintain the raising means in operation while the conveyor is moving and being thereafter operable to render said raising means inoperative so that the head may gravitate into filling position and to connect the head with said vacuum pump.

9. In a machine for filling containers a frame, means thereon for supporting containers in position to be filled, a plurality of filling heads arranged in a row on the frame and with which the containers must be aligned in order to be filled, a blade supporting member slidable on the frame, a row of spaced parallel blades carried by said member and adapted to be extended between containers toalign them with said heads, said blades beginning at one end of the row thereof being gradually reduced in length toward the other end of the row whereby to successively engage the containers for aligning them with the heads one at a time, and means for moving said blade support for extending and retracting the blades.

10. In a machine for filling containers a frame, means thereon for supporting containers in position to be filled, a plurality of filling heads arranged in a row on the frame and with which the containers must be aligned in order to be filled, a blade supporting member slidable on the frame, a row of spaced parallel blades carried by said member and adapted to be extended between containers to align them with said heads, said blades beginning at one end of the row thereof being gradually reduced in length toward the other end of the row whereby to successively engage the containers for aligning them with the heads one at a time, and means for moving said blade support for extending and retracting the blades, including a lever fulcrumed on the frame and connected with said support, and means for operating said heads, including a valve controlled by movement of said lever for controlling the operation of said heads.

ALBERT M. ARMSTRONG. OTTO M. CLINTON. 

